Irfan Pathan: Top Five Moments

Once regarded as the 21st century Kapil Dev, Irfan Pathan turns 31 today. He has had his moments, but somehow he wasn’t able to hold on to his position in the team. We bring to you his top moments in international cricket.

5) Pathan brothers team-up

Chasing 172 in 20 overs, India were 7 down for 115 on the board after 15 overs. Enter the Pathan brothers. They, together, scored 59 runs to help India win the match with only 4 balls remaining.

4) His 12/126 against Zimbabwe in 2005

Irfan Pathan was in great form in the 2005 series against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. Pathan broke the back of the Zimbabwean batting line-up in the second Test, ending with figures of 12/126 and took 7/59 in the first innings.

3) Hat-trick against Pakistan in 2006

In 2006 at Karachi on a green-top, Irfan Pathan, swinging the ball both ways, took wickets off his fourth, fifth and sixth deliveries, sending back Salman Butt who was caught in the slips, Younis Khan on an LBW, and bowled Mohammad Yousaf to complete a hat-trick of wickets. He became only the second Indian to get a Test match hat-trick.

2) Pathan’s all-round performance

MS Dhoni & Pathan came together to take India from 213/6 to a respectable 294/7bagainst Sri Lanka. He then came back to pick up 5 wickets for 61 runs to set up a comfortable win for India over Sri Lanka.

1) Man of the match in T-20 World Cup final

Irfan bowled through the Pakistani middle-order to help India win a sensational final against arch-rivals Pakistan. He got 3 wickets for 16 runs from his four overs, including the first ball wicket of Afridi to set it up for India.